Direct Comparison Test for Convergence of an Infinite Series
Key Questions
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By Comparison Test, we can conclude that the series
sum_{n=1}^infty{9^n}/{3+10^n} converges.Let us look at some details.
For alln geq 1 ,
9^n/{3+10^n} leq 9^n/10^n=(9/10)^n By Geometric Series Test,
sum_{n=1}^infty(9/10)^n converges since|r|=9/10<1 Hence, by Comparison Test,
sum_{n=1}^infty{9^n}/{3+10^n} also converges. -
If an improper integral diverges, then we probably do not want to wast time trying to find its value.
Let us assume that we already know:
int_1^infty1/x dx=infty Let us look examine this uglier improper integral.
int_1^infty{4x^2+5x+8}/{3x^3-x-1} dx By making the numerator smaller and the denominator bigger,
{4x^2+5x+8}/{3x^3-x-1} ge {3x^2}/{3x^3}=1/x By Comparison Test, we may conclude that
int_1^infty{4x^2+5x+8}/{3x^3-x-1} dx diverges.(Intuitively, if the smaller integral diverges, then the larger one has no chance to converge.)
I hope that this was helpful.
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If you are trying determine the conergence of
sum{a_n} , then you can compare withsum b_n whose convergence is known.If
0 leq a_n leq b_n andsum b_n converges, thensum a_n also converges.
Ifa_n geq b_n geq 0 andsum b_n diverges, thensum a_n also diverges.This test is very intuitive since all it is saying is that if the larger series comverges, then the smaller series also converges, and if the smaller series diverges, then the larger series diverges.
Questions
Tests of Convergence / Divergence
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Geometric Series
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Nth Term Test for Divergence of an Infinite Series
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Direct Comparison Test for Convergence of an Infinite Series
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Ratio Test for Convergence of an Infinite Series
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Integral Test for Convergence of an Infinite Series
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Limit Comparison Test for Convergence of an Infinite Series
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Alternating Series Test (Leibniz's Theorem) for Convergence of an Infinite Series
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Infinite Sequences
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Root Test for for Convergence of an Infinite Series
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Infinite Series
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Strategies to Test an Infinite Series for Convergence
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Harmonic Series
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Indeterminate Forms and de L'hospital's Rule
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Partial Sums of Infinite Series